Coal-washing apparatus.



.No. 804,488. PATBNTED NOV. 14, 1905.

R. L. MARTIN, JR. COAL WASHING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 15, 1905 4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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No. 804,488. PATENTED NOV. 14, 1905.

R. L. MARTIN, JR.

GOAL WASHING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED MAY15, 1905.

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No. 804,488. PATENTED NOV. 14, 1905. R. L. MARTIN, JR.

COAL WASHING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 15, 1905.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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( 5 @JGcA/dl. E3 1 No. 804,488. PATENTED NOV. 14, 1905. R. L. MARTIN,J8.

COAL WASHING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY15, 1905.

4 SHBETSSHEET 4.

Wiflzesses a FFIU ROBERT L. MARTIN, JR. OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA,ASSIGNOR TO THE PITTSBURGH OOAL WASHER COMPANY, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYL-VANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

COAL-"WASHING: APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 14, 1905.

Application filed May 15, 1905. Serial No. 260.474.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known. that 1, ROBERT L. MARTIN, J r., a citizen of the United.States, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inCoal-Washing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification,reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, "forming partof the specification, in which Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinalsectional view through my improved coal-washing apparatus, indicated bythe line I I of the plan view of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a plan view of theapparatus. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the lower portion ofthe apparatus 011 the line III III of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an enlargedsectional View of the jig-tank and jig, showing the actuating mechanismfor the jig and its valves, the being shown at the limit of its downwardtravel, the valve open.- ings having just been closed. Fig. 5 is avertical sectional view on the line V V of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 4, showing the jig at the limit of its upwardtravel, thevalves having been just opened. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the drivingmechanism of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view on the lineVIII VIII of Fig. 6, showing the jigvalves opened. Fig. 9 is aperspective detail view of a portion of the movable valveplate of thejig. Figs. 10 and 11 are sectional views at right angles to each other,showing a modified construction of valveshit'ting mechanism.

My invention relates to improvements in coal or ore washing machinery orapparatus wherein the coal is washed in a reciprocating jig arranged tobe moved vertically within a jig-tank, the coal being separated from theheavier impurities, as slate, sulfur, &c., by the floating action ofwater carrying the coal over into a settling-tank, the impurities fall--ing by gravity to the bottom of the jig. The present invention refersparticularly to the means for opening and c osing the bottom of the jigat the end of its upward and downward stroke, respectively, and to animproved valve construction adapted to maintain treecirculation-openings for the water through the bottom of the jig duringpractically its entire downward stroke and to close the bottom openingsduring practically the entire upward stroke of the jig. The constructionprovides means for positively opening and closing the valves of thejig-bottom, so as to insure certainty of operation, while providing forthe passage of an ample volume of water upwardly through the contents ofthe jig on its downward stroke and preventing the backward escape ofsuch water on the upward. stroke, thereby carrying the water andcontents in a floating condition to facilitate their outward passagefrom the ig-tank to the settlingtank.

Referring now to the drawings illustrating the invention, 2 represents adry coal-bin to which coal is delivered in any suitable manner, as byan. elevator 3, the bin 2 being located at a suitable elevation aboveand in convenient proximity to the jig-tank 4, into the ig 12, in theupper portion of which coal is delivered, preferably by gravity, througha suitable opening at the base of the coal-bin. Adjacent to thejig-tank, and preferably at one side thereof, is a slate-tank 5, towhich slate and other impurities discharged from time to time from thebottom of the jig are conveyed, an inclined. bottom 6 of the jigtanksloping toward the slate-tank, as shown, while a suitable elevator orconveying mechanism 7 conveys away the slate from the slatetank to anysuitable point of discharge.

8 is the settlingtank, into which the washed coal is discharged overfrom the jig by the buoyant action of the water, which carries itthrough a suitable chute or opening communicating between the j ig-tankand the settling-tank. In the construction. shown in the principalfigures of the drawings circulation from the water backwardly from thesettling-tank 8 to the jig-tank 4; is provided for by a communicatingconduit 9, communicating between the settling-tank and the slate-tank,from whence, through a similar conduit 10, the water passes inwardly tothe jig-tank underneath. the jig, said opening being provided with aflap-valve 11, arranged to close the conduit 10 against back flow of thewater on downward motion of the jig, but to freely open to admit asupply of water upon up-travel thereof. By this construction the wateris so confined that it will pass upwardly through the open parts of thejig upon its downward travel, as stated.

12 is the jig, consisting of a rectangular framework of any suitableconstruction provided with suitable guiding-bearings 13, arranged tomake an approximately watertight fit around its sides within acorresponding surrounding bearing 14, located in the inner portion ofthe jig-tank, said bearings being conveniently made of cast-metal plateshaving finished meeting surfaces. Extending across the area of thebetween its top and bottom is an inclined primary floor or bottom 15, ofperforated metal, woven wire, or other suitable construction havingsufficient strength to suspend the body of coal contained in the upperportion of the jig and providing a multiplicity of closely-adjacentsmall perforations or openings adapted to permit a free copious upwardcirculation of wateras the ig descends. Belowsaid primary bottom is asecondarybottom 16, conveniently made of a casting secure l to the lowerportion of the jig in. any suitable manner, as

by laterally-arranged flanges, as shown in Fig.

5, said bottom being provided with a series of openings or ports 17,through which the water may freely flow into the interior of the jigupwardly when these openings are uncovered. Slidingly mounted beneath.said bottom plate 16 is a similar plate 18, slidingly mounted insuitable bearings 19, con veniently made of angle form and bolted alongunderneath the side edges of the jig and held thereto by bolts in anysuitable manner, as shown in Fig. 5. Sliding plate 18 is so arrangedthat it may be moved for ward or back longitudinally of the jig orlaterally, if desired, and is provided with a series of openings 20,adapted in one position of the plate, as shown in Fig. 6, to registerwith openings 17 of the stationary plate 16 andwhen shifted, as in Fig.4, to entirely cover said openings 17, so as to practically seal thebottom of the jig against passage of water. plate 18 may be performed inany convenient manner similar to the operation of a slide-valve; but forthe purpose of securing the most eflicient results in the presentinvention it is desirous that the valve-plate shall be suddenly shiftedto uncover the circulating-openings immediately before the jig commencesto descend and shall be again shifted to close said openings immediatelybefore the jig commences to ascend, as has been already stated. For thepurpose of securing these movements I have provided the actuatingmechanism shown in the drawings arranged to shift the plate at theterminating of the up and down strokes, respectively, in conformity withthe operation of the jig-actuating mechanism.

The jig-actuating mechanism is substantially similar to that shown in myprior application for similar apparatus filed February a, 1905, bearingthe Serial No. 244,072, and consists of levers 21, pivotally mountedupon The operation of moving the sliding cross-shafts 22 and connectedby pitmen 23 with the jig, preferably at the four opposite corners oralong the sides adjacent to the ends. The levers 21 are providedwithlongitudinal slots 24:, engaged by the crank-pins 25 of cranks orcrank-disks 26, all of said cranks being driven together by means ofsuitable gearing 27 28 from a main shaft 29, driven by a belt orsprocket gearing from any suitable source of power. By this arrangementit will be seen that the rotation of the cranks is such as to impart thesame movement to each lever 21, and by reason of the slotted engagementof the crank-pins therewith a variable stroke is imparted to the jig, sothat its upward travel is comparatively slow and its downward travelcomparatively fast, owing to the actuating relation of the cranksengaging the slots at different distances from the fulcrum-bearings 22.The upward travel by reason of such arrange ment occupies a considerablygreater time than the downward travel, thereby securing the advantageousresults due to quick pressure against the water in the jig-tank and acomparatively slower upward rise. This construction is substantially thesame as shown and described in the above application referred to and maybe utilized in varying degrees and proportions of the up and downstrokes, respectively, to suit conditions of use and application.

For the purpose of shifting the sliding valve-plate 18 in conformitywith the periods of travel of the jig this plate is provided withupwardly-projecting arms or lugs 30, extending through plate 16 orsuitable slots therein and connected by bars 31 or otherwise with one ormore crank-arms 32, secured to a rock-shaft 33, mounted 011 bearings inthe inner side of the jig, as clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5. For thepurpose of intermittently partially rotating shaft 33 and of shiftingthe valve-plate 18 I provide a supplemental crank-arm 3 1, connected bya pitman 35, preferably adjustable as to length, by means of aturnbuckle, with a terminal element adapted to be engaged by a portionof one of the levers 21 at the termination of its up-and-down stroke,respectively, as in the principal figures of the drawings, or to makecontact with an upper and lower abutment, as in Figs. 10 and 11. Forthis purpose I have provided a slotted link -36, connected with pitman35 in any suitable manner, as at 37, said link being provided withabutting terminals 38, preferably adjustable by means of temperscrews39, whereby their impact-faces may be accurately set or adjusted. One ofthe levers 21 is provided at its terminal with a wrist-pin 40, engagingthe arc-like slot 41 of link 36, preferably by means of a sliding bOX42, adapted to make square abutting contact with the terminals 38. Whenthese abutments are properly set, it will be seen that at or immediatelybefore the termination of the up-and down stroke of the jig the block 42will come into contact with the terminal bearing portion of the link andwill suddenly shift it either upwardly or downwardly, according to thedirections of travel, imparting a corresponding quick closing or openingmovement to valve-plate 18. It will be understood that the link itselfis carried upwardly and downwardly at the upper end of pitman inopposite directions to the travel of wrist-pin and its box 42 and thatthe link is made sufficiently long to provide for such relative movementof both of these members and that the shifting action of the plate isaccomplished as much by the movement of the link itself being impeded bythe opposing wrist-pin and box as by the positive actuating force of thewrist-pin itself. These features of the construction should beaccurately designed to provide for the exact point of contact andrequired travel of the valve plate and are within the province of thebuilder or designing engineer. The adjustable bearings 38 by means oftheir temperscrews 39 will, however, compensate for considerablevariation in the accuracy of the link. Substantially the same resultsmay be accomplished by merely arranging stationary abutments, preferablyadjustable, in the path of a terminal knocker device carried at theupper end of the valve-plateactuating pitman 35, arranged to engage suchterminal. immediatelybefore the termination of the upand-down stroke,respectively, of the ig, thereby utilizing the movement of the jigitself to accomplish the shifting of the valve independent of the link36 or other corresponding means. In Figs. 10 and 11 I have shown astationary frame 36, secured to the fran'iing above the jig at one side,provided with a vertical slot or slideway 41, in which is mounted asliding terminal block 42, secured upon the upper end of the pitman 35and adapted to make abutting contact with terminal blocks 38, preferablyadjustable by means of temper screws 39. The terminal block 42 may,however, merely abut against the top and bottom of frame 36, assumingthat the exact amount of travel of the jig and valve-plate is determinedand no adjustment is required. With either arrangement there issufficient friction to maintain the vertically-moving portions of themechanism. in a raised position independent of gravity.

The operation of the apparatus will be readily understood from theforegoing description, the washed coal passing over to thesettling-tank, from which it is removed by the elevator. The jig isprovided. with a suitable gate-controlled opening 43, by which the slateand other impurities may be released from time to time.

Various changes or modifications may be made in the design, proportions,or various details of construction by the skilled mechanie; but all suchchanges are to be considered as within the scope of the followingclaims.

What I claim is 1. A coal-washing jig comprising avertically-reciprocable framework provided with a primary bottom ofperforated material and a secondary bottom having openings therethrough,with a slide-valve adapted to open and close said openings,substantially as set forth.

2. A coal-washing jig comprising a framework provided with a primarybottom of perforated material and a secondary bottom having openingstherethrough, means for vertically reciprocating the jig, a slide-valvecontrolling said openings, and means for opening said valve at thetermination of the upward stroke and closing it at the termination ofthe downward stroke, sul.)stantially as set forth.

3. In coal-washing apparatus, the combination with a vertically-movablejig provided with water-circulation openings, valves for said openings,and means for vertically reciprocating the jig; of means for positivelyopening and closing said valves at the termination of the upward anddownward stroke respectively, substantially as set fortln 4. Incoal-washing apparatus, the combination with a vertically-movable provided with water-circulation openings, opening and closing valvestherefor, and. means provided with a shifting pitman for positivelyactuating said valves; of a contacting abutment arranged to engage thepitman at the termination of its stroke, substantially as set forth.

5. In coal-washing apparatus, the combination with a vertically-movablejig provided with water-circulation openings, open ing and closingvalves therefor, means for reciprocating the jig, and means providedwith a shifting pitman for positively actuating said valves; ofcontacting abutments arranged to engage the pitman at the termination ofthe upward and downward stroke respectively, substantially as set forth.

6. In combination with a vertically-reciprocating jig provided withwater-circulation openings and valves therefor: mechanism for shiftingthe valves consisting of an actuating element mounted upon andreciprocable with the jig, and an abutment arranged in the path oftravel of said element, substantially as set forth.

7. In combination with a vertically-reciprocating provided withwater-circulation openings and valves therefor: mechanism for shiftingthe valves consisting of an actuatin g elem ent mounted upon and.rcciprocable with the jig, and an adjustable abutment arranged in thepath of travel of said element, substantially as set forth.

8. In coal-washing apparatus, the combination with a vertically movablejig provided with water-circulation ports, opening and closing valvestherefor, and means provided with a shifting pitman for positivelyactuating said valves; of contacting abut- Inents arranged to engage thepitman at the termination of the upward and downward strokerespectively, with means for adjusting said contacting abutments,substantially as set forth.

9. The combination with a vertically-reciprocating jig provided with abottom having water-circulation ports and opening and closingslide-valves therefor; of mechanism arranged to vertically reciprocatethe jig, and mechanism arranged to open and close the valves inoperative engagement with said mechanism, substantially as set forth.

10. A reciprocating jig provided with a bottom having water-circulationopenings and a sliding plate having corresponding openings,shifting-lever mechanism for the sliding plate provided with avertically-arranged pitman, and means providing an abutting contact forsaid pitman at the termination of the up-and-down travel of the jig,substantially as set forth.

1]. A reciprocating jig provided with a bottom having water circulationopenings and a sliding plate having corresponding openings,shifting-lever mechanism for the sliding plate provided with avertically-arranged pitman, alink connected with the pitman, and anactuating-lever for the jig arranged to make abutting contact with thelink, substantially as set forth.

12. A reciprocating jig provided with a bottom having water circulationopenings and a sliding plate having corresponding openings,shifting-lever mechanism for the sliding plate provided with avertically-arranged pitman, a link connected with the pitman andprovided with adjustable contact abutments, and an actuating-lever forthe jig arranged to make contact with said abutments, substantially asset forth.

13. A reciprocating jig provided with a bottom having watercirculationopenings and a sliding plate having corresponding openings,shifting-lever mechanism for the sliding plate provided with avertically-arranged pitman, a link connected with the pitman andprovided with adjustable contact abutments, and an actuating-lever forthe jig provided with a wrist-pin and block engaging a slot of the linkand arranged to make contact with said abutments, substantially as setforth.

In testimony whereof I affiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT L. MARTIN, JR.

WVitnesses:

CHAS. S. LEPLEY, O. M. CLARKE.

